Her body was finally free, but her wrists were shackled in cold handcuffs.
The man in black said emotionlessly, "Young Master is waiting for you in the car."
That single sentence pronounced the complete end of her freedom. She would step into that magnificent cage once more.
It was an extended Lincoln. Sophie Sullivan got into the car, and the man in black closed the car door. She turned her head to one side, looking out the car window.
"Turn your head back," a deep, irresistible voice commanded.
Sophie turned her head and glared at him coldly.
Thomas Shannon reached out, grabbed her jaw, and narrowed his eyes. "Take off that feather dress."
"What do I wear if I take it off?"
Although she also thought this feather dress made her look like some kind of bizarre bird, what would she wear if she took it off now?
Sophie sneered, "You’re dreaming."
The man released her. She rubbed her jaw and turned her head to the other side.
In a short while, a black shirt, still warm with his body temperature, was draped over her head. Sophie pulled the shirt down from her head, her brow furrowing slightly. The man spoke harshly, "Still not changing?"
Sophie said, "Close your eyes."
"Maniac, I see you’ve grown bold!" How dare she order me? Just a few days out, and she’s already become this unruly! She needs to be taught a lesson! "I’ll give you three minutes. If you haven’t thrown off this feather dress by then, don’t blame me for what I do to you."
Beast! Sophie cursed under her breath. Ignoring everything else, she frantically began to change out of her feather dress. In exactly three minutes, not a second more or less, she had put on Thomas Shannon’s shirt. The shirt was long enough to cover her hips, saving her from any indecent exposure.
With a sweep of his long arm, the man pulled her onto his lap. Sophie pressed her hands against his chest, pushing him away. "Let me go!"
Thomas Shannon rapped her on the head. "Behave!"
Sophie tensed, her body going rigid.
Thomas Shannon didn’t mind her stiffness. His thumb caressed her lips as he said, "Maniac, remember your place. You can’t escape my grasp. If I want you to live, you live. If I want you to die, you die."
Sophie lowered her eyelids, a flicker of hatred in their depths.
"Whether you live or die, it all depends on my mood. Understand?"
Sophie Sullivan remained silent. Her fate was in her own hands.
Thomas Shannon’s eyes darkened, his handsome face taking on a frosty expression. His large hand gripped her chin forcefully. "Understand now?"
"I wouldn’t dare." Sophie chose to feign submission; now was not the time for a direct confrontation. She had experienced the castle’s methods of torment before; there was no need to make things harder for herself.
"From now on, you will serve me obediently. Don’t even think about running away. Got it?"
Sophie pressed her lips together. "I remember."
"Tell me, then. What is your identity?"
Sophie swallowed her resentment. "I am the servant of the Young Master."
"Very good." A smirk played on Thomas Shannon’s lips.
"Sister Minnie, are you awake?"
In the maids’ courtyard, part of the castle’s backyard, a maid knocked on the door to Minimus Hart’s room. Minimus Hart’s injuries had not yet healed.